Press

For PR and Press enquiries please contact:

Merilee Karr: merilee.karr@underthedoormat.com

Richard Bridger: richard@underthedoormat.com

Tel: 0207 952 1650

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“We’re not looking to be cheaper, we’re looking to make a better offer. Typically, families find that it’s cheaper than renting several rooms in a hotel. It’ll be a little cheaper as a business traveller. But we’re not competing on price, we’re competing on experience.

UnderTheDoormat has more than 50 properties on its books, and that will soon rise to 60 in locations from the centre of London out to Zone 4.”

Russel Lynch, The Evening Standard

“The creation of STAA is a vital landmark in the evolution of the short-term lettings industry. STAA will give the industry a cohesive voice. We understand there are concerns but the reality is that short-term lettings offer an opportunity for people to earn an extra source of income from their most important assets. Homeowners and families who have struggled through the financial crisis have the chance to make a little extra money when they are away.

“We will also set our industry code of conduct to raise the bar for our members and new market entrants to ensure the standards that we have all worked so hard to make are the industry norm.”

Merilee Karr, in Guardian

“A trade body representing short-term letting firms including Airbnb formed last week with the aim of “debunking myths” surrounding this fast-growing industry.”

Guy Montague-Jones, Property Week

“Kazakhstan’s rising tennis star Yulia Putintseva, may have made an early Wimbledon exit but at least she has an ace Fulham retreat to recoup in for the rest of the summer. Putintseva found the four-bedroom home for £290 a night on UnderTheDoormat. The house has a huge kitchen and a garden and Putintseva plans to entertain pals there during her stay.”

Amira Hashish, The Evening Standard

“Most homeowners who let their homes just want to earn some bonus income when they’re away and don’t want to cause any issues for their neighbours or building managers. Similarly, guests who stay in people’s homes simply want to stay in a nice home and experience the local area.

As the industry grows it’s important to manage stays correctly so homeowners, guests & local areas can make the most of the positives while ensuring that neighbours & managers can still enjoy a peaceful life. With the right policies and a balanced approach, that’s possible.”

Merilee Karr, in the newsletter of the Association of Residential Managing Agents

“Hosting a short-term stay yourself through websites like Airbnb can be hard work, and it’s almost impossible to do it properly when you are out of the country. Marketing, preparation, handling enquiries, cleaning, changing the sheets – all on top of welcoming guests, responding to any issues and having to sort your home again when you return. And then there’s the fact that if you do it yourself you won’t necessarily have the right insurance in place should anything go wrong.

That’s why the rise of Airbnb, and the sharing economy in general, has led to the growth of companies that enable people to hand over their keys, go away to the snow-topped Alps or sun-drenched Mediterranean beaches, and earn bonus money while they away. The homeowner doesn’t have to work and can travel with the peace of mind that everything is taken care of while reaping the rewards.”

Merilee Karr, in Sloan!

” … As DiversityInCare’s corporate partner, UnderTheDoormat offers homeowners the chance to donate some, or all, of the money earned from guests to the charity. In effect, the homeowner gets to use their vacant home to help someone who is homeless.

This charity partnership is an act of Corporate Responsibility that completely fits the company, offers personal and social benefits and makes everyone feel good about the transaction – even the guests, who, instead of putting money in a hotel chain’s pocket, knows that some of their rent could go to charity. This is exactly the sort of partnership that both companies and charities should be aiming for, blending all the best elements that make up a CSR success story.”

The Huffington Post

“ES Entrepreneurs: Merilee Karr, founder of UnderTheDoormat, one of the new sharing economy start-ups in the capital, said: “There are over 600,000 homes in London that sit empty for four or more weeks each year, and over 100,000 homes are empty for 10 weeks or more.

“There is a huge opportunity for homeowners to make some money from their most valuable asset while they are away, and companies like UnderTheDoormat enable to do this by taking care of everything.”

Joe Murphy, The Evening Standard

” … Overall, industry growth in the UK has been positive, with a 1.6% Compound Annual Growth Rate over the last five years, suggesting increased economic confidence bolstered by a 4.6% increase in British start-ups in 2015*. Leading the growth list are small businesses operating in the sharing and rental economy such as UnderTheDoormat, a platform that allows homeowners to rent out their property, following in the footsteps of much larger, established US firms…”

O2

Pivotal

“SEUK businesses like […] Under the Doormat, for example, are enabling users to create new sources of income through existing, and often unused assets.”

Business Insider UK

“UnderTheDoormat provides homeowners with income when they travel by opening homes to guests for local experiences.”

Real Business

“Trusted Housesitters, which finds pet and house sitters around the world; and UnderTheDoormat, which offers users the chance to stay in luxury homes around London, have joined as members.”

The Daily Telegraph

Merilee Karr, Founder of UnderTheDoormat, has had success with crowdfunding. “We managed to secure 220% of our original target and now we are looking at angel or VCT investmentto help us grow even further.”